Fiancée's heartbreaking tribute to 'lucky charm Irish boy' who died in horrific crash
The fiancée of the man killed in a horrific crash involving 11 vehicles on the M4 motorway in Sydney on Thursday has shared a heartbreaking tribute.
Francis Shanley, a 36-year-old tradie from Wentworthville, was killed in the early morning crash at Mays Hill in Sydney’s west when a truck laden with beer kegs smashed into his ute.
Fiancée Broc Nicholson paid tribute to her “lucky charm Irish boy” following the tragic death.
“Most of you have heard the devastating news of our beautiful, strong head, lucky charm Irish boy Francis Shanley has sadly passed away today,” she said.
“He will be forever in our hearts and sadly missed. I thank you all for the love, support and messages of kind words.
“Going to be a long road ahead getting back on our feet.”
Ms Nicholson celebrated her hen’s night with friends in April after announcing her engagement on Facebook in August last year.
NSW Ambulance spokesperson Andrew Wood told 2GB radio the debris from the crash was spread out over about 200 metres on the M4 near the Church Street off-ramp.
“It was an extremely distressing scene for all emergency services on arrival,” he said.
NSW Police say only 10 of the 11 vehicles involved in the crash stopped, and they wish to speak to the driver who left the scene.
"We want to speak with this driver to find what they know about the events leading up to the crash," Inspector Katie Orr said in a statement.
"We also want to speak with any drivers who may have witnessed the crash and left the area or have relevant dash-cam footage."
Investigators aren't suggesting the missing driver caused the crash but hope they can provide additional information.
The other drivers involved were taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
All citybound lanes on the M4 were closed for more than five hours on Thursday causing traffic chaos. They were reopened after 11am.
With AAP
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